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The Warriors just got a hell of a lot harder to beat: Kevin Durant goes west on $54 million deal

“I will miss Oklahoma City, and the role I have had in building this remarkable team.”

Thunder Warriors Basketball Marcio Jose Sanchez Marcio Jose Sanchez

AFTER COMING UP just short in the NBA Finals having set a record for wins in the regular season, Golden State Warriors look like they’ll be even better next time around.

Kevin Durant, one of the lethal talents in the NBA, has opted to move to The Bay Area on a two-year contract worth a reported $54.3 (€48.7) million.

The 27-year-old leaves Oklahoma City Thunder as a free agent having joined the franchise (then the Seattle Supersonics) as a first-round draft pick in 2007.

Durant announced his decision on the Derek Jeter-owned ThePlayersTribune.com, saying:

“This has been by far the most challenging few weeks in my professional life. I understood cognitively that I was facing a crossroads in my evolution as a player and as a man, and that it came with exceptionally difficult choices. What I didn’t truly understand, however, was the range of emotions I would feel during this process.

“The primary mandate I had for myself in making this decision was to have it based on the potential for my growth as a player — as that has always steered me in the right direction. But I am also at a point in my life where it is of equal importance to find an opportunity that encourages my evolution as a man: moving out of my comfort zone to a new city and community which offers the greatest potential for my contribution and personal growth. With this in mind, I have decided that I am going to join the Golden State Warriors.

Thunder Warriors Basketball Steph Curry hugs Durant after the Warriors won Game 7 of their western conference final. Marcio Jose Sanchez Marcio Jose Sanchez

“I’m from Washington, D.C. originally, but Oklahoma City truly raised me. It taught me so much about family as well as what it means to be a man.”

He adds:

“I will miss Oklahoma City, and the role I have had in building this remarkable team. I will forever cherish the relationships within the organisation — the friends and teammates that I went to war with on the court for nine years, and all the fans and people of the community. They have always had my back unconditionally, and I cannot be more grateful for what they have meant to my family and to me.”

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22 Comments
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    Mute Lurfic
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    Jul 4th 2016, 6:04 PM

    Jesus…they’re gonna be close to unbeatable. The only hope for other teams is that they might have trouble accommodating a superstar like durant. Their success has been based on great teamwork and chemistry, along with great talent. If durant is a diva in any way it could change things.

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    Mute breandan
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    Jul 4th 2016, 6:26 PM

    Harrison Barnes out KD in … No loyalty in American sports it’s all about $$$$

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    Mute Daithi
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    Jul 4th 2016, 6:06 PM

    How? He was with Oklahoma since 2007 – the only team he has played professionally for….. 9 years of loyalty

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    Mute Darren Doyle
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    Jul 4th 2016, 5:13 PM

    That’s the next 3/4 titles sowed up so

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    Mute Padraigh Keogh
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    Jul 4th 2016, 5:44 PM

    First time Warriors have splashed the cash on a free agent for years. Done remarkable well so far with players they got in draft.

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    Mute Wayne Urffer
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    Jul 4th 2016, 10:56 PM

    That’s because the draft system rewards teams who fail year after year with opportunities to choose better players. Some teams use this to their advantage in North American sports: Pittsburgh Penguins, Chicago Blackhawks, Miami Marlins, Arizona Cardinals…be terrible for as long as your fans will tolerate, and thereby accumulate top players.

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    Mute Colm Crowley
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    Jul 5th 2016, 2:16 AM

    OKC have never spent more than $15m on a free agent, abs that was a 4 year contract. They were the only team in the playoffs, that drafted their own starting 5.. Small market teams need more support to retain their star players…

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    Mute Padraigh Keogh
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    Jul 5th 2016, 8:41 AM

    Yeah. I know how it works. Big US sports fan.

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    Mute Eoin Clancy
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    Jul 4th 2016, 6:13 PM

    Lebron better get cracking on a deal for Chris Paul or one of his boys if he is to compete !

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    Mute Chris Rea
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    Jul 4th 2016, 6:54 PM

    Kyrie has them sorted at Point Guard, Blake Griffin or Deandre Jordan would be ideal for the Cavs! Hard to get someone to leave LA for Cleveland though

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    Mute Ronan Lynn
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    Jul 4th 2016, 11:36 PM

    Nooooooo leave the Clippers alone, we’re bad enough as it is

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    Mute Colm Crowley
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    Jul 4th 2016, 5:54 PM

    Loyalty is dead.

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    Mute Michael Donnelly
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    Jul 4th 2016, 6:12 PM

    Imagine how Seattle basketball fans feel….

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    Mute Hugh Jass
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    Jul 4th 2016, 6:41 PM

    So if a team drafts him he has to stay with them for his whole career or until they don’t want him anymore?

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    Mute Wayne Urffer
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    Jul 4th 2016, 10:51 PM

    Yes! You sign a contract, you stay for the duration! As opposed to the futball system where money trumps all. It prevents the free-spending teams from buying titles year-upon-year (hello, Man U!) and promotes parity! Such a system would allow supporters of West Ham and Southampton and Stoke to dare that their teams could be champions.

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    Mute Tony Williams Ballet
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    Jul 5th 2016, 12:13 AM

    Still a lot of work for Warriors to do. There is only one ball on the court & chemistry with system & players & Durant is no given. They have lost Luke Walton too & we are not sure are Curry’s troubles gonna extend to next season. Plus other teams have gotten stronger. But it IS Durant….

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    Mute Toni O'Riordan
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    Jul 4th 2016, 9:59 PM

    Sad day for OKC, interesting to see the Thunders plan B

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    Mute Wayne Urffer
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    Jul 4th 2016, 10:41 PM

    Another great talent moving on to another big spending team. Shades of the Premier League. The only surprise is he didn’t do it sooner.

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    Mute Ben ODonovan
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    Jul 5th 2016, 12:08 AM

    Golden State haven’t splashed the cash in years… Nearly all players have been drafted or traded

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    Mute Dave O'Shaughnessy
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    Jul 5th 2016, 12:26 AM

    This would be like Luis Suarez signing for Leicester City. The Warriors championship last season and record breaking wins this season was achieved with a relatively very cheap squad of players, which makes this purchase such a surprise, and excitement for Warriors supporters, this is a very big deal.

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    Mute Wayne Urffer
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    Jul 5th 2016, 4:26 AM

    Yes, but prior to the last few seasons, they were TERRIBLE year on year, thereby drafting top college players year on year. The Philadelphia 76ers have pursued the same strategy. Mark my words, the 76ers will be a VERY good team before long.

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    Mute John Walsh
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    Jul 5th 2016, 1:51 PM

    Wow!!! This is huge news! Gonna be interesting to see how it works. Will be weird to see him in Warriors jersey too.

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